Notre Dame players eager for 'old-fashioned' rivalry game vs. Miami

Nyles Morgan gave the ESPN film “Catholics vs. Convicts,” which centers on the 1988 Notre Dame-Miami game, a positive review.

“The whole thing was a learning process for me,” the Notre Dame senior linebacker said. “I've heard about it, obviously, but when they had the ‘30 for 30,’ they broke down the details of (the rivalry) and how nasty it really got.

“I was like, ‘Dang.’ But that was something very interesting to watch.”

Watching is one thing. Now Morgan gets to participate in a high-stakes game against the Hurricanes.

“The rivalry is really embedded,” said Morgan, a Crete-Monee alumnus. “That just brings more into the hype of the game. But it has nothing to do with us because our motto on defense is ‘nameless and faceless.’

“All that stuff is cool and it's all glamorous and builds more hype and more attention, but we're just worried about winning the game.”

Morgan tied for the team high with nine tackles and had two sacks in last year’s 30-27 victory against the Hurricanes in South Bend.

That game was played on Oct. 29, 2016, under much different circumstances. Both teams were struggling. The Irish had lost four of five and were on their way to a 4-8 season. The Hurricanes entered on a three-game losing streak.

Saturday’s game takes on much more significance.

Gerry Broome / AP

Miami's Braxton Berrios (8) celebrates his touchdown with KC McDermott during the second half against North Carolina.

Miami's Braxton Berrios (8) celebrates his touchdown with KC McDermott during the second half against North Carolina. (Gerry Broome / AP)

“This week, it's old-fashioned,” Notre Dame left tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “It's where these programs should be. It's what college football wants, and in some ways it's what it needs.”

Miami hasn't lost since the defeat at Notre Dame Stadium. The Hurricanes’ 13-game winning streak is the longest active one in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

They have relied on a defense that ranks first nationally in tackles for a loss (8.8 per game) and fifth in sacks (3.5 per game).

“We're designed to attack,” coach Mark Richt said.

The Hurricanes have created 20 turnovers. They had 19 takeaways all of last season.

A similar turnover boost has sparked Notre Dame. The Irish have 19 takeaways after totaling only 14 last year.

“In big games like this, defense wins the game,” Notre Dame linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “Whoever plays better defense on Saturday is going to win. And we're preparing with that mindset. We have to take the ball over on the road (and) put our offense in favorable situations to score.”

Saturday’s winner will remain on the playoff path while adding its personal stamp to the series.

“The rivalry that we share with them is definitely one of a lot of intensity and a lot of fire,” McGlinchey said. “And I'm excited to finally be part of what looks to be a pretty classical Notre Dame-Miami game.”